75 Amazing Day Trips from Tampa
There are so many amazing places to plan day trips from Tampa, Florida. A day trip is the perfect activity to plan when you want to take a trip, but you are short on time. These ideas are primarily focused on outdoor activities, but vary from towns to visit, botanical gardens, beaches, parks and more. Continue reading to plan your next day trip!
How Far is a Day Trip?
This can depend on the person and how far you are willing to drive in a single day. However, most people consider a day trip to be no further than a 3-hour drive one way. Many of these ideas are 2 hours or less from Tampa. I have also included some ideas that are 2.5 to 3 hours from Tampa, if I felt they were worth the extra driving time.
How to Plan a Day Trip
There are a few steps to set you up for success when planning the perfect day trip. See below for a step-by-step approach.
- Decide how far you are willing to drive
- Consider what type of activity you would like to do
- Choose your destination
- Select your date
- Research the area and plan your activities
- Purchase any tickets or passes you need in advance
- In the days prior to your trip, check the weather
- Pack any food, drinks, or other items you will need
- Hit the road and enjoy your day!
Tips for Planning a Day Trip
If you’ve never planned a day trip before there are a few things you want to consider. Below are 6 tips for a successful day trip.
1. Start Small
If you’ve never planned a day trip before consider picking a location no more than 1.5 hours away. I always find that the drive to get to my destination goes by relatively quickly, but the drive back home can sometimes be difficult. There is usually more traffic later in the day and you are usually tired from the days activity. To avoid feeling overwhelmed by the drive back home, choose a location with 1.5 hours to start. Once you get used to taking day trips you can start venturing further away!
2. Pack a Cooler
I recommend packing a small cooler with plenty of water and any other beverages you might want throughout the day. This allows you to easily grab a drink while on the road on in between destinations without having to stop and buy it at a convenience store. If I am going to be doing a lot of hiking, I will usually throw an extra gallon of water in my car to refill my water bottles as needed throughout the day.
3. Pack Snacks
When I am going on a day trip I like to stop as few times as possible. I like to keep some easy to grab snacks within reach in the car in case you get hungry. Depending on your destination, you may even want to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy during the day. For some easy to grab snacks check out my favorite hiking snacks which can also work great on a day trip.
4. Bring a Change of Clothes
This tip may not always be necessary, but it never hurts to have some extra layers and/or a full set of clothes in the car. You may not need them, but depending on the activity and weather you might want a fresh set of clothes to change into prior to driving home. This can especially be true if you’re spending the day at the beach or in a state park kayaking or hiking.
5. Research your Destination Ahead of Time
This is probably the most important tip on the list! There is nothing worse than driving a couple hours to reach your destination only to find out you needed to purchase a ticket in advance or need a permit to hike the trail you picked out. Always do your research ahead of time so your plans aren’t ruined due to poor planning.
6. Fill up your Gas Tank Ahead of Time
As I mentioned early, I like to hit the road and only stop if I absolutely need to. I always try and have my gas tank filled up ahead of time. Most of these trips can be driven with one tank of gas so having it full at the beginning of your day prevents an unnecessary stop later. If my gas tank isn’t full before I leave I will usually stop first thing in the morning.
Types of Day Trips from Tampa
Now that you have the basics down, I’ve rounded up the best day trip ideas from Tampa. I’ve organized them by category, and they are listed in order of closest to furthest from Tampa in each section. Some of these ideas are in the same area, and you may be able to combine more than 1 idea into the same day trip! This is the first of several posts so I will be linking to each category to provide more information on each location.
- State Parks
- Springs
- Beaches
- Cities and Towns
- Botanical Gardens
- National Parks and Forests
Florida State Park Day Trips from Tampa
Starting the list with one of my favorite places to plan a day trip to, Florida State Parks! I personally think they make one of the best destinations for a day trip because of the variety of activities you can find at the parks. I also frequently plan to visit more than one park in the area when I can. Below are some of the best Florida State Parks for a day trip! In addition to these parks, several more state parks are listed in the Florida Springs section.
1. Egmont Key State Park
- City: Offshore St. Petersburg
- Distance: 37 miles
- Drive Time: 45 minutes
- Ferry takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour in addition to the drive time
More about Egmont Key State Park.
2. Anclote Key Preserve State Park
- City: Offshore Tarpon Springs
- Distance: 32 miles
- Drive Time: 45 minutes
- Additional time needed by ferry or boat to reach Anclote Key
3. Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
- City: Port Richey
- Distance: 41 miles
- Drive Time: 50 minutes
More about Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park.
4. Myakka River State Park
- City: Sarasota
- Distance: 70 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
More about Myakka River State Park.
5. Lake Louisa State Park
- City: Clermont
- Distance: 72 miles
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
More about Lake Louisa State Park.
6. Highlands Hammock State Park
- City: Sebring
- Distance: 87 miles
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
7. Gasparilla Island State Park
- City: Boca Grande
- Distance: 103 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
More about Gasparilla Island State Park.
8. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
- City: Micanopy
- Distance: 128 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
9. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
- City: Gainesville
- Distance: 138 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
More about Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park.
10. Ravine Gardens State Park
- City: Palatka
- Distance: 150 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
11. Washington Oaks Garden State Park
- City: Palm Coast
- Distance: 170 miles
- Drive Time: 3 hours
Florida Springs Day Trips from Tampa
The perfect day trips from Tampa include visiting Florida Springs! There are over 1000 freshwater springs in the state, and I’ve listed 18 to visit below. Many of these springs are also located within a Florida State Park. You can visit during the summer and cool off in the 72 degree refreshing spring water or visit during the water to look for manatee from land. Blue Springs State Park and Three Sister Springs are two of the most popular spots for manatee viewing.
Many of these parks also offer other water activities including snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, or tubing. You will want to double check each individual spring before visiting to see what activities are offered at the specific time of year you plan to visit. For many of the springs, the Florida State Park website can provide more information.
12. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- City: Spring Hill
- Distance: 56 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
13. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- City: Homosassa
- Distance: 72 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
More about Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
14. Kings Landing/Kelly Park Rock Springs
- City: Apopka
- Distance: 97 miles
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours
15. Three Sisters Springs
- City: Crystal River
- Distance: 80 miles
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours
16. Rainbow Springs State Park
- City: Dunnellon
- Distance: 95 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
More about Rainbow River.
17. Wekiwa Springs State Park
- City: Apopka
- Distance: 100 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
18. Silver Springs State Park
- City: Silver Springs
- Distance: 103 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
More about Silver Springs State Park.
19. Juniper Springs Recreation Area
- City: Silver Springs
- Distance: 115 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
20. Devils Den Prehistoric Spring
- City: Williston
- Distance: 120 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
21. Alexander Springs Recreation Area
- City: Alexander Springs
- Distance: 118 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
22. Blue Springs State Park
- City: Orange City
- Distance: 116 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
More about Blue Springs State Park.
23. Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
- City: Fort McCoy
- Distance: 125 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
24. Manatee Springs State Park
- City: Chiefland
- Distance: 133 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
25. De Leon Springs State Park
- City: De Leon Springs
- Distance: 132 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
More about De Leon Springs State Park.
26. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
- City: High Springs
- Distance: 153 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
27. Ginnie Springs
- City: High Springs
- Distance: 157 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
28. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- City: Fort White
- Distance: 164 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
29. Fanning Springs State Park
- City: Fanning Springs
- Distance: 135 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
Florida Beach Day Trips from Tampa
A relaxing day on the beach is another great way to spend a day. There is no shortage of amazing beaches to visit from Tampa. Many of these beaches are within 1 hour in the Tampa Bay area, and others are a little further away if you want to explore a different part of the state! Some of these beaches would also make a great weekend destination including Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key, and Sanibel Island.
30. Pass-a-Grille Beach
- City: St. Pete Beach
- Distance: 31 miles
- Drive Time: 30 minutes
31. Clearwater Beach
- City: Clearwater Beach
- Distance: 25 miles
- Drive Time: 35 minutes
32. Fort de Soto Park
- City: St. Petersburg
- Distance: 35 miles
- Drive Time: 35 minutes
33. Madeira Beach
- City: Madeira Beach, Florida
- Distance: 27 miles
- Drive Time: 40 minutes
34. Upham Beach Park
- City: St. Pete Beach
- Distance: 32 miles
- Drive Time: 40 minutes
35. Honeymoon Island State Park
- City: Dunedin
- Distance: 30 miles
- Drive Time: 40 minutes
More about Honeymoon Island State Park.
36. Caladesi Island State Park
- City: Offshore Dunedin
- Distance: 30 miles
- Drive Time: 40 minutes
- Ferry ride will require additional time to reach your destination
37. Indian Rocks Beach
- City: Indian Rocks Beach
- Distance: 45 minutes
- Drive Time: 27 miles
38. Treasure Island Beach
- City: Treasure Island
- Distance: 29 miles
- Drive Time: 46 minutes
39. Anna Maria Island
- City: Anna Maria Island
- Distance: 55 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
40. Siesta Key Beach
- City: Siesta Key
- Distance: 68 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
41. Longboat Key Beach
- City: Longboat Key
- Distance: 60 miles
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours
42. Venice Beach
- City: Venice
- Distance: 74 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
43. Cocoa Beach
- City: Cocoa Beach
- Distance: 134 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
44. Flagler Beach
- City: Flagler Beach
- Distance: 160 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
45. Daytona Beach
- City: Daytona Beach
- Distance: 140 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
46. New Smyrna Beach
- City: New Smyrna Beach
- Distance: 140 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
47. Sanibel Island
- City: Sanibel
- Distance: 158 minutes
- Drive Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
City and Town Day Trips from Tampa
There are several small towns or large cities to explore that are ideal for a day trip from Tampa. Many of the other day trip ideas included on this list are in one of these cities. I’ve listed a few of my favorite city or towns to visit below!
48. St. Petersburg
- Distance: 23 miles
- Drive Time: 25 minutes
49. Clearwater
- Distance: 22 miles
- Drive Time: 30 minutes
50. Gulfport
- Distance: 26 miles
- Drive Time: 30 minutes
51. Dunedin
- Distance: 24 miles
- Drive Time: 35 minutes
52. Tarpon Springs
- Distance: 28 miles
- Drive Time: 40 minutes
53. Lakeland
- Distance: 35 miles
- Drive Time: 40 minutes
54. Bradenton
- Distance: 45 miles
- Drive Time: 50 minutes
55. Sarasota
- Distance: 61 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
56. Crystal River
- Distance: 80 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
57. Clermont
- Distance: 76 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
58. Orlando
- Distance: 84 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
59. Ocala
- Distance: 97 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
60. Mount Dora
- Distance: 96 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
61. Gainesville
- Distance: 130 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
Botanical Garden Day Trips from Tampa
An activity for nature lovers is to visit a botanical garden! I’ve previously written on botanical garden in Tampa Bay to visit, but there are several more options if you’re willing to drive a little further.
62. Sunken Gardens
- City: St. Petersburg
- Distance: 22 miles
- Drive Time: 25 minutes
63. Florida Botanical Gardens
- City: Largo
- Distance: 24 miles
- Drive Time: 35 minutes
64. Palma Sola Botanical Park
- City: Bradenton
- Distance: 52 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
65. Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- City: Sarasota
- Distance: 60 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
66. Marie Selby Botanical Garden
- City: Sarasota
- Distance: 62 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
67. Bok Tower Gardens
- City: Lake Wales
- Distance: 67 miles
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours
68. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
- City: Gainesville
- Distance: 130 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
National Park and Forest Day Trips from Tampa
69. De Soto National Memorial
- City: Bradenton
- Distance: 52 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
More about De Soto National Memorial.
70. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
- City: Crystal River
- Distance: 80 miles
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours
71. Ocala National Forest
- City: Ocala
- Distance: 100 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
72. Canaveral National Seashore
- City: Titusville
- Distance: 133 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours
73. Osceola National Forest
- City: Sanderson
- Distance: 180 miles
- Drive Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
74. Big Cypress National Preserve
- City: Ochopee
- Distance: 203 miles
- Drive Time: 3 hours
75. Everglades National Park (Gulf Coast Entrance)
- City: Everglades City
- Distance: 208 miles
- Drive Time: 3 hours
Ready to take a Day Trip from Tampa ?
I hope this list sparks some new ideas for your next day trip from Tampa! Be sure to check out the linked posts for more information on the various day trip ideas. If you found this post helpful it would mean so much to me if you would share it on Pinterest or Facebook so others can easily find this post! Let me know in the comments which day trip you are planning first!
